338 RCM

[Alaskanopolis]

I put the 338 RCM in an XLR element 3.0. I have suppressor on the way as well. I ordered some lighter weight 3rd mags, as recommended by XLR in another post. I’m curious to see how it shoots versus the hunter edge stock I had it in before. Right now it’s shooting 225gr CE raptors at 2600fps, but I’m going to work up a load with the CE lazers and extend the range a bit. I might even see what the 265 lazers shoot behind some RL-26 just for shits and giggles.

 

[Spoonbill]

Out of curiosity, why did you go with a 338 RCM over another 338 offering? I remember looking at a left hand 338 RCM when Ruger discontinued them but I ended up going another route (didn't reload then). Also what action did you use for the build?

 

[Alaskanopolis]

Out of curiosity, why did you go with a 338 RCM over another 338 offering? I remember looking at a left hand 338 RCM when Ruger discontinued them but I ended up going another route (didn't reload then). Also what action did you use for the build?

It performs well in a short barrel and I wanted a short action.

 

[Alaskanopolis]

Out of curiosity, why did you go with a 338 RCM over another 338 offering? I remember looking at a left hand 338 RCM when Ruger discontinued them but I ended up going another route (didn't reload then). Also what action did you use for the build?

Sorry, I went with a Tuebor Ti. I almost went with a 338 WSM, but wasn’t as competent a reloaded as I am now and wasted to have factory ammo as backup.

 

[Spoonbill]

Sorry, I went with a Tuebor Ti. I almost went with a 338 WSM, but wasn’t as competent a reloaded as I am now and wasted to have factory ammo as backup.

That’s a nice looking rifle, especially in lefty. How long is the barrel?

 

[Alaskanopolis]

That’s a nice looking rifle, especially in lefty. How long is the barrel?

A little over 16”. It started at 20” and would push a 230 eldx at around 2730. 2600 FPS gets me out where I want to be with the rifle.

 

[tonechaser88]

Man that thing is cool !! I love the short magnums on a short barrel. I’ve been able to get 2750 FPS w 212eldx on a 20” savage 300 wsm barrel. Waiting on a 338 WSM from HCA with a carbon fiber 24” tube. Savage action in an xlr chassis. Going to spit 230 eldx through it. Might mess around with some hammer bullets as well. I think that 338 rcm at those speeds should yield good results. Cool gun thanks for sharing !

 

[Gen273]

I love the 338 RCM!!!

 

[OldCarl]

Over 20 years ago I bought two left-hand short action stainless steel rifle actions from Montana Rifle - one with standard bolt face and the other with magnum bolt face. No specific guns in mind, but for $350 per action I thought I would eventually do something. This week I stumbled on the boxes containing these actions and decided to make rifles. I ordered two of the few left-hand short-action model 70 stocks I could find on line and have sent one action to Shaw Barrels and the other action to McGowen. I figured there was no sense making both rifles in similar cartridges, so Shaw will put on a 260 Remington barrel and McGowen will install a 338 RCM. So one will be smaller than I have ever hunted with and the other might be larger than my old shoulder wants! I had never considered a 338 RCM before, but I usually hand-load anyway, McGowen had reamers for it and I already have a favorite .338-06, so... The cartridge may be technically almost dead, but it is nice to find a few folks here who have positive things to say about it. I found 150 cases and some loading dies, so now it is just a matter of waiting, then experimenting.

 

[Gen273]

I think that you made a great choice in the .338 RCM. In my opinion, it's a wonderful, albeit a very underused/appreciated cartridge